Ephesians 4:20-24: Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

As we are renewed in our mind, we will also put on the “new man.” Many Christians struggle from time to time to STOP doing something that, as born again believers, they should not be doing. In Galatians 5, Paul teaches us that if we will walk in the Spirit, then we won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Do you walk in spiritual authority over the flesh to the point of living in liberty? If not, this word can empower you to gain the knowledge you may need to overcome fleshly ways or weaknesses.

In Romans 12, we’re told that God has given every person a measure of faith. He also warns believers not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but to think soberly. Once we become born again, it’s true that our sins have been forgiven, and our conscience has been purged by the precious blood of Jesus. He did defeat the Devil on the cross as well as paid the debt for our sins, but there’s something that He left for us to do after we receive Him as our Savior and Lord. This has nothing to do with earning our salvation because salvation is a gift of God.

If you’re a Christian, and you still struggle with issues that should have been left behind with your past life, it only means that you need to be renewed in your mind. This is where the measure of faith that Paul taught about comes into play. As God deals with our hearts to change old mindsets and habits, we must use our faith to trust in His will over our human will. This is called changing our ways.

Once you recognize that there is a weakness in your walk and know that God wants to see a transformation in it, you can begin to submit to His process of changing your will. When you submit to God’s will first, then He will empower you to resist the Devil. In due season, the Lord will lift you above the old ways, and you will begin to walk in authority and liberty. We must be aware of the enemy of self that tries to dominate and control our lives as Christians lest it is allowed to prevent us from walking in victory.

Isaiah 55:6-7: Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously.

We forsake our old ways by seeking the Lord and His will. And it begins with the Word of God and prayer.  —submitted by Asa Dockery, US